Warp knitting machine

ABSTRACT

A warp knitting machine, particularly of the Raschel type, is provided with a device for inserting a weft thread into the knitted loops wherein a crank-shaped thread laying device is provided with a thread guide which is operable to undo the twist which occurs during the revolving movement of the thread laying device, thereby making it possible to draw, for example, two weft threads, which may be of different color or composition, simultaneously from the weft thread supply reels. A weft thread storer is provided which consists preferably of two storage discs facing each other and which is movable in the direction toward the knitting needles. The warp knitting machines can produce knitted goods whose appearance and properties correspond to those of woven goods, but where the knitted product can be manufactured at substantially higher production speeds than the woven product.

[73] Assignee: W. Schlathorst & Co.,

Monchengladbach, Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 342,043

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 17, 1972 Germany"; 2212935 Sept. 14, 1972 Germany... 2245115 [52] US. Cl 66/84 A [51] Int. Cl D04b 23/06 [58] Field of Search. 66/86, 83, 84, 123

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,609,997 10/1971 Furst 1 66/84 3,616,656 11/1971 Furst.... 66/84 3,620,048 ll/l97l Furst.... 66/84 3,643,471 2/1972 Furst 66/84 Wilms; Volker Reichardt, both of Monchengladbach, all of Germany Ramp et a1. Sept. 10, 1974 [5 WARP KNITTING MACHINE 3,648,459 3/1972 rum 66/84 [75] Inventors: Heinz Kamp, Rickelrath; Willi Primary ExaminerRonald Feldbaum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Herbert L. Lerner [57] ABSTRACT A warp knitting machine, particularly of the Raschel type, is provided with a device for inserting a weft thread into the knitted loops wherein a crank-shaped thread laying device is provided with a thread guide which is operable to undo the twist which occurs during the revolving movement of the thread laying device, thereby making it possible to draw, for example, two weft threads, which may be of different color or composition, simultaneously from the weft thread supply reels. A weft thread storer is provided which consists preferably of two storage discs facing each other and which is movable in the direction toward the knitting needles. The warp knitting machines can produce knitted goods whose appearance and properties correspondto those of woven goods, but where the knitted product can be manufactured at substantially higher productionspeeds than the woven product.

14 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEUSEPI 01am SHEU [11 0F 10 PATENTEB SEP 1 0 X974 SHEET 02 0F 10 PATENTED 01974 3- 834.189

sum a: nr 10 PATENTEU SEPI 0 m4 saw on or 10 PAIENTEDSEP 1 01914 SHEET 05 [1F 10 PAIENIEU 35?] 01974 SHEET 06 [If 10 PATENTEU SEP] 0 1914 sum 07 or 10 PATENIEQ SEP a 0:914

SNEU 08 0F 10 PATENIEU SEP] 0 m4 SNEET 09 0f 10 PATENIED SEP 1 012m sum 10 or 10 FIG. 0 I

' WARP KNITTING MACHINE While the movable mechanical elements of presentday knitting machines are fully adequate for the high production speeds, difficulties are encountered in the processing of the weft thread material, specifically due to the fact that during the inserting of the weft thread, thread velocities occur which werenot reached heretofore in warp knitting and Raschel type machines. The excessive stress on the thread, which automatically results from this, brings with it a reduction in efficiency due to the more frequent occurrence of thread breaks and, therefore, sets a limit to the use of higher operating speeds.

Besides the problem of overcoming this shortcoming, namely, to achieve a reduction of the thread velocity for the weft thread without reducing the knitting speed, it is, however, also desirable to expand the heretofore available pattern design possibilities in a warp knitting machine, which comprises the above-mentioned device for inserting weft threads, through more universal weft change combinations.

In order to eliminate the disadvantage of excessive stress on the thread, it has become known to make the crank-shaped thread guide with two or more arms and to let a corresponding number of weft supply reels revolve with the speed of the thread guide. Such a design, however, has the disadvantage that considerable masses must be put in rotation and decelerated, and the entire area required by the rotating weft reels outside the machine must be screened off.

It has further been proposed to arrange the weft thread supply reels stationary and in tandem, where the individual weft threads are kept separated by threadguiding members which, in addition, serve to lead the weft thread around one or several of the weft thread reels which are arranged in the path of the thread. Although such a design overcomes the above disadvantages of the previously described known device, the space requirement for the last-named device is increased, and in addition, drive means are required for the thread-guiding member which leads the weft thread around a weft thread supply reel.

It is an object of the invention to eliminate the disadvantages in the known prior art arrangements described above and to provide a warp knitting machine in which, with less mechanical effort and substantially reduced space requirements, several weft threads can be inserted simultaneously, whereby it is possible to produce additional patterns which could not be produced heretofore.

According to the invention, the aforementioned disadvantages of the known prior art arrangements are overcome by providing a crank-shaped thread-layingdevice with guide channels for simultaneous side by side feed-in of the weft threads and providing that the crank-shaped thread laying device is coupled with a thread guide which is driven by the thread layingdevice and undoes the twist which occurs during one revolution of the thread-laying device. Through such an arrangement, it is possible to draw, for example, two weft threads, which may be of different color or composition, simultaneously from the weft thread supply reels which are arranged stationary in a known manner. it is also possible to present the two weft threads simultaneously to the holding members of a weft thread storer in contrast to the known system with a crankshaped thread-laying device with only one arm. The reduction of the rotational speed by one-half, which can be attained thereby, can be further multiplied if a thread-laying device with several arms, according to the invention, is used. However, it is at the same time also possible to carry out a weft change combination with individual weft thread lengths in the manner of the so called pic a pic insertion.

In order to guide the individual threads passing from the weft thread supply reels separately up to the vicinity of the thread-laying device, it is advantageous, according to another feature of the invention, to provide that the guide channels of the thread-laying device are formed by holes which enclose the individual weft threads separately, which pass through the axis of rotation of the thread-laying device and which preferably are arranged in a manner secured against rotation.

If a bead-shaped or dome-shaped elevation or protrusion is arranged between the exit openings of the two holes, the thread material is particularly well protected, as the threads no longer must slide over each other, but rather one thread is lifted by the bead-shaped or domeshaped elevation to the extent that it is led over the other thread without making contact.

If two weft threads disposed side by side are fed to a thread guide arranged at the outer end of a crankshaped, threadlaying device through channels at the axis of rotation of the thread-laying device, arranged according to the present invention, these two threads are crossed during one revolution of the thread-laying device. With each further revolution of the threadlaying device a further crossing of the weft threads is added and thus leads to a twisting of the weft threads. In order to prevent this twisting, according to the present invention, the thread-laying device is coupled to a thread guide which is driven by the thread-laying device and which undoes the twist of the weft threads. [t is advantageous if the thread guide which undoes the twist of the weft threads is provided with threadguiding gears which are driven for rotation in opposite directions and with guide eyes associated individually with each weft thread. Because here too, the weft threads to be inserted can rub against each other when the thread-guiding gears rotate, it is advantageous if a bead-shaped or dome-shaped elevation or protrusion is likewise arranged between the guide eyes of at least one of the thread-guiding gears.

As mentioned hereinabove, weft change combinations according to the pic a pic system, among others, can be carried out with the warp knitting machine according to the present invention. The weft threads are normally fed by the thread guide of the revolving thread-laying device to the holding members of the weft thread storer always in the form of a hairpin loop. In this manner, only two weft threads of the same color and composition can be presented to the knitting tools side by side. However, since it is desirable in the pic a pic weft thread insertion method to carry out a change from weft thread to weft thread, it is advantageous, according to another feature of the invention, if transfer tongues are associated with the holding members of the weft thread storer, which are arranged in the vicinity of the edges of the web, in order to engage the loops of the weft threads and place them over more than one holding member. If a weft thread loop is, for example, inserted over two holding members, there is the possibility of inserting into the gap between these two, and again over two successive holding members, a weft thread of a weft thread loop of a color or composition different from the second fed-in weft thread, which is equivalent to a continuous change from weft thread to weft thread.

As the weft thread loops presented by the rotating thread-laying device are likewise subject to twisting during one revolution of the weft thread-laying device, provision is made, so that this twist is also undone before the weft thread loop is transferred to the holding members of the weft thread storer. This is advantageously achieved by providing the transfer tongues with a mechanism which rotates them in the opposite direction and tilts them. In order to obtain troublefree separation of the individual threads if several weft thread loops are inserted and to ensure reliable transfer of the weft threads to the holding members, the transfer tongues can be provided in a particularly advantageous manner with contact contours for keeping the weft threads separate.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described in relationship to specific embodiments, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the essential parts of the warp knitting machine according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken through the bearing of the crank-shaped, thread-laying device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view looking in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the thread-laying device.

FIG. 5 is a front view looking in the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 4 and showing the thread guide which undoes the twist of the weft threads.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the thread guide shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the thread storer, the thread-laying device, and one of the mechanisms for effecting movement of the transfer tongues.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but excluding the mechanism for effecting transfer of'the tongues and showing another position of the threadlaying device.

FIG. 8a is a sectional view of the thread-laying device shown in FIG. 8 but in a different operating position.

FIGS. 9 to 13 are perspective views of the thread storer with transfer tongues and thread-laying device in different operating positions.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a warp knitting machine having a side frame 1, partly shown, and knitting tools, which consist essentially of needle bars 2, sinker bars 3, knocking-over bars 4 and guide bars 5. A section of the knitted goods is indicated at 6 next to the knocking-over bars 4. There is provided a crank-shaped, thread-laying device 7 having a counterweight 7 Disposed between the latter device and the knitting tools is a weft thread storer 8. In FIG. I, only one of two opposing storage discs 9 with its holding members 10 can be seen. The storage disc 9 is mounted on a shaft II which is driven synchronously with the knitting speed in the direction of the arrow 12 in a known manner.

The thread-laying device 7 has a tubular shaft 13 which is rotatably supported in a flanged sleeve 14 which is firmly connected to a cross beam 15 and which is rotated also synchronously with the knitting speed by a disc 16 through drive means 17. A section of a shaft 19 passes through the tubular rotating shaft 13. The shaft section 19 is fastened to an am 18 and is provided, in the example of the illustrated embodiment, with two holes 20, 21 for two different weft threads 22 and 23. The two holes 20, 21 are stationary and disposed horizontally side by side. However, for the purposes of illustration and to show the two holes 20 and 21 more clearly, such holes 20, 21, are shown as if they were rotated and thereby on top of each other.

The weft threads 22 and 23 are drawn off from weft thread supply reels 24 and 25, the thread ends of which are tied to the thread beginnings of reserve spools 26, 27, thereby providing a continuous supply of the weft threads. The weft thread supply spools are accommodated in stationary position in a creel 28. Interference between the weft threads running off the spools is prevented by an anti-ballooning baffle 29.

The thread-laying device 7 has one end thereof provided with an angled-off end arrangement serving as a thread guide 31. The thread guide 31 consists, in the example of the illustrated embodiment, of two threadguiding gears of which only the thread-guiding gear 32 is shown in FIG. 1. During a single revolution of the thread-laying device 7, a single revolution is also imparted to the thread-guiding gear 32. Specifically, the

single revolution of the thread-guiding gear 32 is obtained, starting from stationary disc 38, through drive means 39, disc 40 which is rotatably supported in the thread-laying device 7, miter gears 41 and 42, and drive means 43. The weft threads 22 and 23 passing from the weft thread supply spools 24 and 25 are, therefore, fed to the thread guide 31 through the holes 20 and 21 and passed on from there to transfer tongues 44 and 45 which are only partly shown in FIG. 1. The function of the transfer tongues 44, 45 and the thread guide 31 will be described in greater detail reference to FIGS. 7 to 13.

The crank-shaped thread-laying device 7 with its counter-weight 7 and its rotating shaft 13 which is rotatably supported in the flanged sleeve 14 and is put in rotationby the disc 16 is shown in FIG. 2. The tubular rotating shaft 13 has passing therethrough theshaft section 19 which is fastened to the arm 18. The shaft section 19 is provided with the two holes 20 and 21 for the two weft threads 22 and 23. FIG. 2 is a horizontal crosssectional view, and it will be understood that the two holes 20, 21 are situated horizontally side by side.

The two holes 20, 21 serve as the guide channels for the thread. Between the two exit openings 20a and 21a of the two holes 20, 21 is arranged a bead-like elevation or protrusion 101 which lifts the thread 22 over the thread 23 when the thread-laying device 7 rotates. This may also be clearly seen in FIG. 3.

In the perspective view of FIG. 4 the crank-shaped thread-laying device 7 with its counterweight 7' can again be seen as well as the holes 20, 21 which serve as the guide channels for the weft threads. At the angledoff end 30, the thread-laying device 7 is provided with the thread guide 31 which consists of the two threadguiding gears 32 and 33. The weft thread 22 first passes through the guide eye 34 of the thread-guiding gear 32, then through the guide eye 36 of the thread-guiding gear 33 and on to the holding members of the thread storer which is not shown in FIG. 4. Similarly the weft thread 23 runs first through the guide eye 35 of the thread-guiding gear 32 and then through the guide eye 37 of the thread-guiding gear 33. It will readily be seen that the portions of the weft threads 22 and 23 situated on the end face would rub against each other when the two thread-guiding gears 32 and 33 rotate. However, in order to prevent this, a bead-like elevation or projection 102 is arranged on the thread-guiding gear 33 between the guide eyes 36 and 37 to lift the thread 22 over the thread 23. This can also be clearly seen in the enlarged front view in FIG. 5 as well as in the side view in FIG. 6.

It may also be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6 that the guide eyes 34, 35 are disposed at an angle of rotation which is different from that of the guide eyes 36 and 37. Such a difference in the angular position of the guide eyes with respect to each other facilitates and is advantageous for improved insertion into the holding members of the weft thread storer (not shown in FIG. 5).

In FIG. 7 the thread-laying device 7 which is rotated around its circular path in the direction of the arrow 46, is shown in a position in which the thread guide 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the storage disc 9. FIG. 7 shows particularly clearly how the weft threads 22 and 23 coming out of the holes 20 and 21 of the shaft section 19 are fed to the thread guide 31 along the threadlaying device 7. In the thread guide 31, the weft threads 22 and 23 first pass through the guide eyes 34 and 35 of the thread-guiding gear 32, from then through the guide eyes 36 and 37 of the thread-guiding gear 33, and finally on to the holding members of the storage disc 9. The two thread-guiding gears 32 and 33 have the same number of teeth as have the miter gears 41 and 42, and, since the discs 38 and 40 also have the same diameter, the thread-guiding gears 32 and 33 execute one revolution in the direction of arrows 47 and 48 for one revolution of the thread-laying device 7. Through the rotation of the thread-guiding gears 32 and 33 the twist in the weft threads 22 and 23 formed during each revolution of the thread-laying device 7 is undone. This process also becomes particularly clear in the following figures which show individual phases and operational steps of the rotation of the thread-laying device.

It can further be seen in FIG. 7 how the weft threads 22 and 23 are presented to the transfer tongue 45. The transfer tongue 45 has contact contours 49 and 50 which keep the weft threads separated and aid in the insertion of the weft threads about the predetermined number of holding members 10. The transfer tongue 44 associated with the storage disc 9 is likewise provided with contact contours 51 and 52 in a manner similar to the transfer tongue 45.

An actuating mechanism is provided to impart a rotary and swinging motion to the transfer tongues 44 and 45. An actuating mechanism 53 for the transfer tongue 45 located in front of the storage disc 9 is shown in detail in FIG. 7. For the sake of clarity and to facilitate understanding, the individual parts of the mechanism 53 are shown in FIG. 7 in a simplified side view. Cams 56 and 57 of the actuating mechanism 53 are mounted on shafts 54 and 55 which are driven synchronously with the knitting speed during the operation of the machine and which are, therefore, also synchronously operable with the rotational speed of the thread-laying device 7 as well as that of the thread storer 8.

The following relationships and corresponding transmission ratios are achieved. The holding members 10, 10 are rotationally advanced one pitch in the direction of the arrow 12 with the knitting speed, that is, at the speed with which the rows of stitches are formed. Since with each revolution of the thread-laying device 7, four weft thread lengths are transferred to the holding members in the example of the illustrated embodiment, two exactly opposite holding members 10, 10 advance four pitches during one revolution of the thread-laying device 7. Accordingly, in the case of the illustrated embodiment, the rotational speed of the thread-laying device 7 is only one quarter of the knitting speed.

As already indicated, the cams 56 and 57 are driven at the same speed of rotation as the thread-laying device 7 in the direction of the arrows 58 and 59. The cam 56 determines the progress of the rotary motion of the transfer tongue 45 about a post 60, and the cam 57 determines the swing of an arm 61 about the shaft 11. To this end, the transfer tongue 45 is connected, that is, secured against rotation, with a disc 62 through the post 60. The disc 62 is driven by a drive means 63 from another disc 64 which in turn is firmly connected with a gear 65. The gear 65 in turn is in engagement with a rack 66, and a stroke movement is transmitted to the rack 66 by means of an angle lever 68 pivoted about a fulcrum 67. The biasing action of a tension spring 70 biases a roller 69 on the angle lever 68 against the outer diameter of the cam 56.

A swinging motion of the arm 61 is produced, starting from the cam 57, via a lever 73 which is pivoted about a post or pin 74 and which, under the biasing action of a tension spring 71, rests with its roller 72 against the cam 57. The lever 73 has an elongated hole 80 which receives a pin 76 on a guide member 75. Through guiding the rack 66 in the guide member of the arm 61 and an elongated-hole guide 77 for a pin 78 on the rack 66 as well as with the elongated-hole 80 in the lever 73, it is possible to control the swinging motions of the arm 61 and the rotary motions of the transfer tongue 45 simultaneously and yet independently of each other.

The same follows and applies logically for the transfer tongue 44 with which an actuating mechanism operating in a similar manner is associated, but within which the earns 56 and 57 are made to provide opposite movements of the transfer tongues relative to each other.

In the following figures the process of inserting the weft thread into the weft thread storer 8 is shown in greater detail. FIG. 8 shows the thread-laying device 7 with the thread guide 31 having been rotated further in its rotational path relative to the position shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8a, on the other hand shows a section of the thread-laying device 7 with the thread guide 31 shortly prior to reaching the position shown in FIG. 8.

. thread-guiding gears 32'and 33 with their guide eyes 34 to 37, the positions of the two weft threads 22 and 23 are interchanged. Thus the weft thread 22 was brought over the weft thread 23, which means the undoing of the twist between the two weft threads 22 and 23. The thread-guiding gears 32, 33, which are driven in meshed relationship and which rotate synchronously with the thread-laying device 7, ensure the undoing of the thread twist each time at the same point of the rotary path. For the sake of clarity, the dome-shaped elevation or projection 102 is not shown in FIG. 8 and in the figures which follow.

' It will further be seen in FIG. 8 how the weft threads into the two gaps between the holding members is swung still further in a direction opposite to that of the arrow 12 and the weft threads 22 and 23 can be fed to two further gaps between the holding members 10.

FIG. 10 indicates the end of this process and shows how the weft thread 22 was placed around two holding members 10' and the weft thread 23 likewise around two holding members 10. Both weft threads 22, 23 were placed around the holding members 10, partially stretching in the process, in such a manner that a weft thread 22 is always followed by a weft thread 23. In this manner, the possibility is provided to present to the knitting tools individual lengths of two different but simultaneously drawn-off weft threads in continuous alternation as is characteristic for pic a pic insertion.

FIG. 11 shows the transfer tongue 45 associated with the storage disc 9' after such transfer tongue 45 has returned to its starting and loading position for taking over the weft threads at the next revolution of the thread-laying device 7. The insertion scheme for the weft threads 22 and 23 on the weft thread storer 8 filled with weft threads can further be seen particularly clearly. In the meantime, the transfer tongue 44 has also fed weft threads 22 and 23 into the gaps between the holding members 10 of the storage disc 9. In FIG. 11 the thread-laying device 7 has been advanced by 180 relative to the position shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 shows a further phase in the motion process of the transfer tongue 44 and indicates how the weft threads 22 and 23 are'lifted, after being inserted into the first gaps, over further holding members 10 and are fed to the succeeding gaps. Here, too, it will be seen how the contact contours 51, 52 provide secure guidance and separation of the two weft threads.

FIG. 13 shows the transfer tongue 44 after the latter has completed the insertion of the weft threads 22 and 23 and has swung, with its contact contours 51 and 52, out of the reach of the weft threads. Subsequently, the transfer tongue 44 can swing back into the loading position, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, without interference with the weft threads.

FIG. l3 shows also the thread-laying device 7 in a position shortly before completing a full revolution, whereby the insertion process for the weft threads described above can be repeated. By the crossed weft threads 22, 23, the start of the twisting of these threads can also be clearly seen, the undoing of which then takes place again in the phase of the motion cycle shown in FIGS. 8 and 80.

We claim:

l. A warp knitting machine in which a weft thread is inserted into knitted loops, comprising knitting elements, a crankshaped thread-laying device, a weft thread storer movable in a direction towards said knitting elements and disposed between the latter and said thread-laying device, mounting means rotatably mounting said crank-shaped thread-laying device, said mounting means having channels for feeding weft threads to said thread-laying device, and thread guide means carried on said thread-laying device and including means for undoing the twist of the weft thread produced during one revolution of the thread-laying device.

2. A warp knitting machine according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a shaft, said channels for feeding said weft threads being disposed in side by side relationship in said shaft.

3. A warp knitting machine according to claim 2 wherein the axis of said shaft is coincident with the axis of rotation of said thread-laying device, said shaft being secured against rotation, and said channels being disposed parallel to the axis of said shaft.

4. A warp knitting machine according to claim 2 wherein at least two spaced channels are provided in said shaft, and separation means are provided on the end of said shaft defining the exit opening of said channels, said separation means causing one weft thread to pass over the other weft thread during rotation of said thread-laying device.

5. A warp knitting machine according to claim 4 wherein said separation means comprises protrusion on the exit end of said shaft, said protrusion being disposed between the two exit openings of said at least two spaced channels. Y

6. A warp knitting machine according to claim 5 wherein said protrusion has an arcuate configuration.

7. A warp knitting machine according to claim I wherein said thread guide means comprises threadguiding gears, means driving said thread guiding gears for rotation in opposite direction, each of said thread guiding gears having a pair of guide eyes through which said weft threads pass.

8. A warp knitting machine according to claim 7 wherein said thread-guiding gears mesh with one another, said guide eyes comprising channels in said gears extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation of each gears.

9. A warp knitting machine according to claim 8 wherein two spaced guide eyes are provided on one of said thread-guiding gears, and protruding means are provided on the side of said one gear for causing one weft thread to pass over the other weft thread during rotation of said gears.

10. A warp knitting machine according to claim 1 wherein said weft thread storer comprises holding members disposed adjacent both edges of the web and actuating means operable to engage the weft threads as in an opposite direction away from said holding members.

13. A warp knitting machine according to claim 1 wherein said crank-shaped thread-laying device comprises an elongated crank arm, said thread guide means comprising a pair of thread-guiding gears rotatably mounted on said crank arm about axes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said crank arm.

14. A warp knitting machine according to claim 13 wherein drive means are provided on said crank arm for rotating said thread-guiding gears. 

1. A warp knitting machine in which a weft thread is inserted into knitted loops, comprising knitting elements, a crankshaped thread-laying device, a weft thread storer movable in a direction towards said knitting elements and disposed between the latter and said thread-laying device, mounting means rotatably mounting said crank-shaped thread-laying device, said mounting means having channels for feeding weft threads to said thread-laying device, and thread guide means carried on said thread-laying device and including means for undoing the twist of the weft thread produced during one revolution of the thread-laying device.
 2. A warp knitting machine according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a shaft, said channels for feeding said weft threads being disposed in side by side relationship in said shaft.
 3. A warp knitting machine according to claim 2 wherein the axis of said shaft is coincident with the axis of rotation of said thread-laying device, said shaft being secured against rotation, and said channels being disposed parallel to the axis of said shaft.
 4. A warp knitting machine according to claim 2 wherein at least two spaced channels are provided in said shaft, and separation means are provided on the end of said shaft defining the exit opening of said channels, said separation means causing one weft thread to pass over the other weft thread during rotation of said thread-laying device.
 5. A warp knitting machine according to claim 4 wherein said separation means comprises protrusion on the exit end of said shaft, said protrusion being disposed between the two exit openings of said at least two spaced channels.
 6. A warp knitting machine according to claim 5 wherein said protrusion has an arcuate configuration.
 7. A warp knitting machine according to Claim 1 wherein said thread guide means comprises thread-guiding gears, means driving said thread guiding gears for rotation in opposite direction, each of said thread guiding gears having a pair of guide eyes through which said weft threads pass.
 8. A warp knitting machine according to claim 7 wherein said thread-guiding gears mesh with one another, said guide eyes comprising channels in said gears extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation of each gears.
 9. A warp knitting machine according to claim 8 wherein two spaced guide eyes are provided on one of said thread-guiding gears, and protruding means are provided on the side of said one gear for causing one weft thread to pass over the other weft thread during rotation of said gears.
 10. A warp knitting machine according to claim 1 wherein said weft thread storer comprises holding members disposed adjacent both edges of the web and actuating means operable to engage the weft threads as the latter pass from said thread guide means and to place said weft threads over more than one holding member.
 11. A warp knitting machine according to claim 10 wherein said actuating means comprises transfer tongues, said transfer tongues each having contacting surfaces thereon for keeping the weft threads separated.
 12. A warp knitting machine according to claim 10 wherein said actuating means includes transfer tongues and an operating mechanism operable to rotate and tilt each transfer tongue towards the holding members and in an opposite direction away from said holding members.
 13. A warp knitting machine according to claim 1 wherein said crank-shaped thread-laying device comprises an elongated crank arm, said thread guide means comprising a pair of thread-guiding gears rotatably mounted on said crank arm about axes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said crank arm.
 14. A warp knitting machine according to claim 13 wherein drive means are provided on said crank arm for rotating said thread-guiding gears. 